Freedom and unity. Those are the virtues emphasized by Juneteenth celebrations, according to Antonio Scott, an associate minister at Washington Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

“It’s an opportunity to enhance equality in everyone’s life,” Scott said. “That’s the biggest motivation there is: (Improving) the quality of our community and working together.”

For the third year, the Juneteenth Planning Committee, sponsored in part by the City of Jacksonville, is organizing Juneteenth celebrations in the city.

Juneteenth is one of the oldest and longest lasting celebrations of slave emancipation in the United States. Erskin Hawkins, minister at True Life International Fellowship Ministries in Jacksonville, said though the celebration started in the black community, Juneteenth’s message of overcoming adversity can relate to people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.

“I think, basically it’s (about) having the will to overcome adversity,” Hawkins said. “That’s not just in the African-American community, but that’s also with any culture. This event celebrates one obstacle we were able to overcome, but we were still able to come out on top ... Juneteenth celebrates African-American achievement, but also promotes respect and development for all culture.”

Juneteenth celebrations will begin on June 19 with a “Celebration of Freedom” at Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center, 100 Recreation Loop. According to Hawkins, the event will focus both on the spiritual and civic aspects of Juneteenth. Praise dancers and singers are scheduled to take part in the event, as are guest speakers, including City of Jacksonville Councilwoman Angelia Washington. The following day, June 20, the committee will hold a block party at E.W. Wooten Park featuring food, live music and a three-on-three basketball tournament.

Hawkins said both events are intended to demonstrate and promote the celebration’s theme: Unity for the Purpose of Community.

“We want to engage and encourage members in the community to meet their neighbors,” Hawkins said. “We hope this year’s celebration will be one like no other. We hope to see our community come from brokenness into wholeness.”

Scott said one of the reasons why the event is being held in Wooten Park, which is in one of the most economically disadvantaged areas of the city, is to “bring some light” into that community and help the people living there unite and make a better life for themselves and the next generation.

“We’re trying to get people to work together to get businesses in that area ... for businesses to say, ‘We want to be in this area,” Scott said. “I’m just really excited to reach out to the people and see what the people can do.”

Spots for vendors at the block party are still open and are available for $50 for businesses and $25 for not-for-profit organizations.

The Georgetown Renaissance Community Inc. is also planning its annual Juneteenth festivities this week. On June 19, a food bank for military and homeless families will be open at Georgetown Park beginning at 4 p.m. On Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m., a “Cowboy Horse Parade” begins at the Riverwalk Park and ends at Georgetown Park, the site of the celebration, which will include a five-on-five basketball tournament with a cash prize for the winner, a barbecue, a car show, live music and open mic for performers.

Page 2 of 2 - Watson said members of the community are welcome to take to the stage and share their thoughts on patriotism and community involvement. Watson said she hopes the event will spark a revived interest in preserving black history and heritage in Onslow County, especially in the Georgetown neighborhood of Jacksonville.

The Juneteenth celebration will occur near a cemetery where war veterans and clergy rest.

“We have a rich history,” Watson said. “We all need to come together and embrace our history ... to build a program where our kids can be able to at least see where we come from.”

Spaces for vendors, as well as spots to perform during the celebration, are available. To find out more, contact Watson at 910-545-7966. Participating in the parade is free of charge and open to the public. Information on joining the parade can also be obtained by calling Watson.